THE MOVIE LOVER

This was the hardest list I've compiled so far. February is considered a dump month. Those are months that studios don't have high expectations for the films released at that time. Dump months are typically Jan-Feb, Aug-Sept. For whatever reason the 80s had fantastic February releases. Here are my favorites.

 

01

Action Jackson - (released Feb. 12, 1988)

This is one of my favorite action movies. I have a french language poster of this film hanging in my office. Carl Weathers is Jericho "Action" Jackson who is this no-nonsense cop in Detriot who puts the fear of God into every bad guy he meets. Unless they are chumps, then he opens a can of whoop ass. While trying to take down money man Peter Dellaplane (perfectly played by Craig T. Nelson) he needs the help of a drugged out Vanity and has to deal with Dellaplane's hot mess wife played by Sharon Stone. This film is 80s gold with great co-stars, music and one-liners.  

 

 

 

02

Wildcats - (released Feb. 14, 1986)

Goldie Hawn in her prime is amazing. See all of her stuff. This is another 80's classic ( I'm gonna be saying that alot). She's perfect as a single mother who becomes a high school football coach in a rough school in Chicago. The cast in this movie is off the chain. We're talking young Woody Harrelson, Wesley Snipes, Mykelti Williamson, Jsu Garcia ( you know his face, look him up)Swoosie Kurtz, Nipsey Russell, James Keach , Bruce McGill and Robyn Lively. With a cast like that I don't even have to give you details on how hilarious this movie is. 

 

 

03

Some Kind of Wonderful - (released Feb. 27, 1987) 

This is my favorite John Hughes movie and not just because Eric Stoltz is gorgeous. The soundtrack to this film is perfect. The cast : Lea Thompson, Craig Sheffer, Mary Stuart Masterson, Elias Koteas and John Aston. They tell a beautiful story of a middle class boy who goes on a date with a beautiful rich girl, but realizes he's in love with his tomboy best friend. Its sweet, its touching, its some kind of wonderful. :)

 

 

04

Over the Top - (released Feb. 13, 1987) 

This is primo Stallone as a dad trying to reconnect with his bratty kid. Oh did I mention he's a trucker whose also training to win the World Arm Wrestling Championship. This film is nothing but heart and has a killer soundtrack. Robert Loggia plays Stallone's grumpy father-in-law who not only can't stand Stallone, but wants him no where near his grandson. Oh yeah.....Stallone's name...wait for it....is Lincoln Hawk.  

 

05

Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors -

(Released Feb. 27, 1987)

Ask any Freddy fan what their favorite Nightmare film is and this will make the top 3 everytime. This film saw the return of Nancy as a research scientist helping a rag tag team of youngsters who are tired of being stalked by Freddy in their dreams. The special effects are pure 80s genius, and the deaths are some of the best in the franchise. This movie oozed young talent and the lines were cheesy as hell. This movie is awesome! 

 

06

The Entity - (released Feb. 4, 1982) 

The moment that a ghost touches Barbara Hersey's breast I was done. Nope! I've never forgotten that image and that's just one from this based on a true story tale of a woman being sexually harassed by a poltergeist. A paranormal team from UCLA try to stop what's happening to her, which of course, only pisses off the poltergeist more. You know the drill. The difference in this film, however, is the malicious sexual nature of the paranormal nasty. Ron Silver in all his sexiness plays the lead doctor of this paranormal team and if you weren't sold on ghost touches breast, well I can't help you.  

 

07

Shoot to Kill - (released Feb. 12, 1988) 

Sidney Poitier, Kirstie Alley, Tom Berenger, Clancy Brown and Richard Masur. What are they all doing in the same movie you ask? Well Sidney Poitier plays an FBI agent tracking down killers who've escaped to the mountains. Tom Berenger plays his guide. As for Kirstie Alley, well she's got herself in a pickle as the unfortunate guide of the killers. The tension is high and this is 80s greatness.

 

08

The Burbs - (released Feb.17,1989) 

Watching Tom Hanks put a sardine on a pretzel is terrifc. Comic gold and that's just one small moment in this hilarious movie directed by Joe Dante. There's so many recognizable faces in this movie, I can't name them all. Ok, I'll list some, you have Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher, Corey Feldman, Brother Theodore and the irreplacable Dick Miller. Hanks plays a stressed out guy who gets new neighbors who are beyond suspicious. Together with his nosy eclectic friends, he will find out what's going on with the new neighbors. Watch this movie! Now!

 

09

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure -

(released Feb.17,1989) 

This movie introduced the world to California's most loveable idiots. Ted Logan and Bill Preston Esq. They have to pass history class, not only to keep their girls, but to graduate. So they do what every teen does, meet George Carlin who introduces them to histories great legends. Duh! The movie's great, silly, innocent fun. Keanu is well....Keanu (swoon) and George Carlin is f-ing hilarious. It's so 80s, I can't even describe how 80s this film is. Check it out, this movie is like no other. 

 

10

Das Boot - (released Feb.10, 1982)  

Das Boot, say it with me, Das Boot. Holy shit this film intense. Nominated for 6 Oscars and with good damn reason. This film examines what happens inside a submarine during WW2. Its considered one of the greatest war films ever made. It's definitely one of my favorites. These men were inexperienced and in the thick of it. This film is a no holds barred, gritty war story from the unique perspective of a submarine. Do yourself a favor and check it out.